What are themed funerals

Learn more about themed funerals and explore funeral personalisation ideas.

What are themed funerals and how do they work?

A themed funeral is a funeral that has a personalised service. Rather than following a traditional sequence of events, a themed funeral will be built around the passions, interests and personality of the person who died. This can lead to a unique and celebratory service.


Personalising a funeral can involve reflecting the interests or values of the person who died. It can also involve adding personal touches to the music, colour theme, programme, hearse, flower arrangements or memorial book.



A themed funeral can include a cremation or burial. Alternatively, it can be a separate celebration held after the funeral service.

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What are some funeral personalisation ideas?

There's no limit to the ways in which a funeral can be themed and personalised to reflect the life and interests of the person who died. Typically, it will reflect the person's passion, whether that's a hobby, an artistic vocation or their connection to a place.


Guests can be asked to bring memorial gifts relating to the theme. They could also be asked to contribute photos or videos and to share memories.

Some themed funerals involve people sharing memories "over the mic". Others encourage guests to write memories in a guest book, memory box or online memorial page.


Transport to the funeral can be personalised by taking a route that had personal significance to the person who died. The hearse and casket can be decorated or themed.


Flower arrangements can be personalised by choosing flowers that relate to how the loved ones feel about the person who died.

Guests can be encouraged to dress in a certain way that the person who died would have liked. 


The catering can reflect the person's tastes and interests. This could be as simple as handing out their favourite sweet or as elaborate as a taster menu. It all depends on the wishes of the person who died and the people left behind.



Finally, the venue itself can be personalised. Instead of taking place in a crematorium or cemetery, it could take place in a restaurant, club, sports ground, theatre – pretty much anywhere that meant something to the person being mourned.

Themed funeral FAQs

  • What are some popular funeral theme ideas?

    A themed funeral can have any theme. Popular ones include sports, music, travel, nature and art. This can be reflected in the presentation of the funeral service. 

  • What is a personalised funeral?

    A personalised funeral – also known as a themed funeral – is one that focuses on the character and interests of the person who died.

  • How do you make a funeral unique?

    There's no one way to make a funeral unique. But if the person who died was passionate about a particular topic or interest, a themed funeral could be a unique and memorable way to celebrate their life.

  • What are personalised funerals also called?

    Personalised funerals are also known as"themed funerals". Sometimes, the phrase "personalised" refers to a funeral that's family-led without help from a funeral director. These are more commonly known as "independent funerals" or "DIY funerals".

  • How do you arrange a themed funeral?

    Themed funerals tend to be family-led or led by friends and family of the person who died. The person responsible for organising the funeral usually gets in touch with a funeral director and goes from there.

  • How much does a themed funeral cost?

    The cost of a themed funeral depends on what you have planned. It will go up or down depending on the personalised elements, the venue, the catering and the funeral director fees. As a ballpark figure, SunLife says the average cost of a simple attended  funeral in the UK is about £4,285.


    When planning a themed funeral, your best bet is to talk through your options with a local funeral director.

  • What can you wear to a themed funeral?

    Most of the time, loved ones ask funeral guests to wear sombre clothes. At a themed funeral, however, you may be encouraged to wear something more relaxed or informal. You may also be asked to wear something relating to the theme of the funeral. There are also fancy dress funerals.

  • What is a personalised funeral procession?

    A personalised funeral procession is a funeral cortege that reflects the life, personality and interests of the person who died. This could be achieved through the choice of vehicle, the route taken, visual elements or some combination of the three.

Arrange the funeral you want with AFD

At AFD, we can help you arrange a themed funeral. We lend a listening ear and provide a tailored, compassionate service. Contact us on our webpage or via our 24/7 phone line on 020 8355 7876.